//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Becoming a Crusader // Story: Eric Sparkle and the Locket of Prophecies // by Skywalker215 //------------------------------// As soon as he finished eating, he heard the voice of a colt calling him. “It’s good to meet you, Eric. I’m Pipsqueak, you can call me Pip,” the short colt said. “Good to meet you too, Pip,” Eric replied. “And I’m Rumble,” said another colt. “Hi, Rumble,” Eric replied. He also met Twist, Featherweight, Buttons, Peachy Pie, Sunny Daze, Snips, and Snails. Eric was playing with his new friends, just then, he accidentally bumped into Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. “Watch where you’re going, you two-legged freak!” Diamond shouted. “You made a big mistake,” Silver Spoon added. “I’m so sorry about that,” Eric replied while whimpering. “Apologizing isn’t going to help you, freak, stay out of our way or else,” Diamond Tiara said. The two mean fillies pushed him to the ground. “If you ever bump into us again, you’re gonna get it, and stay down,” Silver Spoon added. She then felt a stick hit her head, and Diamond was lifted up in a green aura. It was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, they each gave an angry look at the two mean fillies. “Leave him alone, you two, Eric doesn’t need you picking on him,” Sweetie Belle said. “You have no idea what he’s been through,” Apple Bloom added. She put down Diamond away from Eric, who went away with Silver Spoon. “You alright, Eric?” Sweetie Belle asked as she helped him up. “I am, thanks to you girls,” Eric replied. “We’ve got your back,” Scootaloo said. “Eric, there’s something, I’ve been meaning to tell you,” said Sweetie Belle. “What do you wish to tell me?” Eric asked. “I have a crush for you, ever since we met you,” Sweetie Belle said. “What? I was just being nice,” Eric replied as they embraced. “Who were those fillies?” Eric asked. “Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, you’ll want to keep out of their way,” Scootaloo replied. Soon recess was over and lessons resumed. As soon as the day’s lessons were finished, Cheerilee made an announcement. “Before you leave, I want to inform you that the student pony president campaign is in two days,” she said. “I’m not going to let that two legged freak upstage my campaign,” said Diamond Tiara as she left. “I agree, he shouldn’t be a part of this whole school election,” Silver Spoon replied. “He and those blank flanks picked the wrong fillies to mess with,” Diamond Tiara said with a sinister grin. After the bell rang, the students went their separate ways, Eric was greeted by his mom. “So how was school?” Twilight asked. “Mostly good, except for when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon pushed me down, they kinda remind me of two mean boys that beat me up last Friday,” Eric replied. “I’m sorry to hear that, if those two fillies give you a hard time, tell Cheerilee,” said Twilight. She and Eric were unaware that they were being followed. A teenage unicorn and two teenage pegasus colts were bidding their time, keeping their eyes on Eric, hoping for him to wander off on his own. The first was a pale brown unicorn colt with a blonde mane and tail, gray eyes, and a bird-shaped flame for a cutie mark. He second was blue with a dark gray and red streaked mane and a sparking thundercloud cutie mark, and the third was dark gray with a purple mane and a twister for a cutie mark, and both had golden eyes. “Have you ever seen anything so pathetic?” the lead one said in a Trottingham accent. “Not really, Hot Shot. He’s such a weirdo,” said the second one in a surfer-like accent. “Bean-boy is more like it, Skywarp. He’s as puny as a bean,” the third one added in a Manehattan accent. “Good one, Thundercracker. Soon he will get what’s coming to him, we don't want him interfering with our plans,” Hot Shot said then cackled. As they followed Twilight and Eric, they were unknowingly being watched by the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “There’s somthin’ I don’t like about those three colts,” Apple Bloom said. “You’re telling me, all they seem to do is lurk in the shadows, very suspicious,” Scootaloo replied. “Yeah, they are also following Eric and said nasty things about him, we need to tell him and Twilight,” Sweetie Belle added. “Do you remember the way back here?” Twilight asked. “Yes, mommy,” Eric answered. “Eric, wait!” three voices shouted in unison. He turned and noticed it was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. “What is it, girls?” Eric asked. “We were wondering if you would like to come to our clubhouse and join the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Apple Bloom said. “I’d be happy to be in your club,” Eric replied. “Have fun, sweetie, just be back in time for dinner,” said Twilight. “Yes, mommy,” Eric replied. The four friends made their way to the clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres. When they got there, the three fillies began reciting the initiation, “We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Eric Sparkle to join us as a brother, friend, confidante, ally, bossom buddy, boy pal, compadre, chum of chums, homeboy, amigo, and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader. You are solemnly sworn in, here this day, in witness of your fellow sisters, friends, confidantes, bossom buddies, compadres, and allies.” “Congratulations, you are officially a Cutie Mark Crusader,” Apple Bloom said. “Thanks, girls,” Eric replied. “Is something wrong?” he asked. “While you and your mom were walking back to the castle, we noticed three colts saying mean things about you,” said Sweetie Belle. “Oh no, first Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, now these three colts, are out to get me,” Eric said whimpering in fear. “We’ll walk you home from school starting tomorrow, and if anypony gives you a hard time, we will teach them a lesson,” Scootaloo replied. “Thank you, girls, you’re the best friends I’ve ever had,” Eric replied. After a few hours of crusading activities, evening has fallen and the three fillies walked Eric home. The four friends got into a group hug. “See you tomorrow, Eric,” Apple Bloom said. Eric went inside the castle and the three fillies went to their homes.